It is also known as kimba pepper, African pepper, Moor pepper, Negro pepper, Kani pepper, Kili pepper, Sénégal pepper, Ethiopian pepper and Guinea pepper.
The seeds have a musky flavor and are used as a pepper substitute.
It is sometimes confused with grains of paradise.
The pods are crushed and added whole to soups or stews, then removed before serving the food.
Smoked pods can be ground before being used as a spice rub for fish.